Maradona37
Well-known member
It's weird people would hate him more then. Maybe cos he was more cocky on the pitch. But he had yet to become so famous and powerful, which I believe has consumed him. Back then he just seemed like a normal kid.
Greatest player(s) of all time and other legends
- Thread starter Andresito
- Start date
Fati_Future_BallonDor
Humble guy
He was definitely not a 'normal' kid when you saw him performing on the pitch but yeah i get what you want to say.
I have to say you dont need the LW-CR in your XI as Maradona/Messi are 2 of the best chances creators of all time. So use the most dangerous scorer in history of football. Put 16/17 golden-noodle Cristiano as striker and he will score hattricks every match.
Maradona37
Well-known member
I am not talking about his great ability being normal, I mean his personality and unassuming nature.
You could but I don't wanna drop Pele. I'd rather play Ronaldo on LW than Pele. But of course in practice they'd interchange.
Exactly. I think Cruyff would be the best addition to the other 3 protagonists.
He would perfectly control distances and adapt to the movements of Pelé and Ronaldo. He had great tactical intelligence and would be capable of systematically molding this star-studded front four into a cohesive unit.
His ability to create and exploit space harmonizes perfectly with the positional freedom of Messi and the other strikers who leave their positions (Cristiano would play that LW-CF-hybrid where he can use his finishing, especially his heading ability, to the maximum). Cruyff, along with Messi and Xavi, would be the playmaker, coordinating the actions of individual players, but he could also push forward himself when necessary. In attack, this system focuses heavily on flexibility and fluid football, in which Pelé, Messi and Cruyff in particular frequently exchange positions.
Based on his sheer individual ability Maradona has to be included in an all time XI. But if he and Messi were to play directly next to each other on the field (right wing and number 10), I think they would be restricting each other's freedom. Ultimately, they cover the same areas and their playing styles are generally too similar.
Maradona37
Well-known member
Very fair points that i would make myself.
If I was selecting a team tactically I would make the same points. Usually GOAT teams are more about fantasy football on paper stuff.
Good to see you online - usually look out for your posts and you do seem to have a big liking for the all-time great debates too. Also hope your appointment went fine.
Yeah I've always enjoyed these discussions. I'm generally very interested in the history of the game. It's great to have someone here who not only shares this interest but also has extensive knowledge about it. For most people in my personal circle, football history only begins around the turn of the millennium..
I'm going to have breakfast now. I'll be back later to share my slightly different 4-3-3 XI.
Maradona37
Well-known member
Thanks for the compliment. And yeah it's interesting stuff. My personal memories go back to about the late 80s (born in 1982) and also done a fair bit of watching and reading about the game's history. Obviously I am not an expert, like say David Goldblatt or Jonathan Wilson, but I think I know more about the game's past and have more respect for it than plenty of fans. Not necessarily because of superior understanding but because plenty fans just have no interest in it or respect for it. Speak soon.
Maradona37
Well-known member
Also, mate, this just came out a few months ago. I bought it. It is in my cupboard and I hope to read it before the upcoming World Cup. Just a suggestion from myself to you
The Power and the Glory: A New History of the World Cup : Wilson, Jonathan: Amazon.co.uk: Books
The Power and the Glory: A New History of the World Cup : Wilson, Jonathan: Amazon.co.uk: Books
www.amazon.co.uk
Catta
Senior Member
How can Cristiano be the most dangerous scorer when Messi holds the record for most goals scored in a year, with Cristiano never coming even close to his numbers.
Maradona37
Well-known member
Good shout on Makelele. He would provide a lot of balance.
Do you prefer Zidane to Ronaldinho then? I know latter would play wider.
Fati_Future_BallonDor
Humble guy
Hey Catta dude hope you are fine
I have to say im not a fan of the 'who scored most goals things' , these 91 goals brought a Copa as he didnt score vs Chelsea in semi final or in that important el clasico in Camp Nou. You could say the same about Cristianos best year in 2013, 0 titles as he didnt score goals enough goals vs Dortmund in semi final CL.
So what i want to say?
Its better to score in big games when it matters than statt padding vs small teams. Also better to share the goals with the other team mates than being the main man to score. Best example Real: Mbappe comes and scores by far the most goals but they were more dangerous when ham, Rodyrygo and Vini shared the goals.
Feel free to ask more questions if you like 🙂
Thank you for the recommendation. From April onwards I will have more time, then I will be able to dedicate myself more to football literature.
Maradona37
Well-known member
I just hope I get to it soon as I have a reading block these days. Haven't been able to concentrate on them.
There's lots of football books. The Ball is Round and Inverting the Pyramid are ones I have read some of and they're excellent.
GloryHunter 007
Morally bankrupt
So many people will die on the hill Ronaldo deserved 2012 Ballon d'or when in reality no one has ever played better football than Messi that year, ever, or likely will.
I hope you are happy though.
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